Corset-clasp.



M. W. HOFFMANN. CORSET CLASP. APPLICATION FILED we. a, 1909.

946,362, Patented Jan. 11,1910.

affouwl UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. MARIE WIERA HOFFMANN, OF VIENIQ'A, AUSTRIA-HUNGARY, ASSIGNOB, TO PAUL NEWMAN, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND.

CORSET-CLASP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 11, 1910.

Application filed August 3, 1909. Serial No. 510,967.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MARI IV. HOFFMANN, of Kaiserstrasse 107, Vienna VII, in the AustroHungarian Empire, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Corset-Clasps; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

This invention relates, generally, to clasps for corsets, but it is also applicable for use on belts to be worn on the body, and it has for its object to provide a simple, durable, and comparatively inexpensive fastening device by which a series of hooks and studs arranged, for instance, on the busks of a corset, may be locked against accidental unfastening or disengagement by a single looking device, and may as readily be unfastened by a single movement when it is desired to disengage the busks, and it consists in the parts and combinations of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a front view of a corset provided with my improved fastening device or clasp. Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail View in front elevation of a pair of .busks removed from the corset and fastened together by my device. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail perspective View of the looking device with the cover plate removed.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout all the views.

Referring to the drawings 2 represents a corset, and 3 and 4 the busks thereof which are secured thereto in any preferred or suitable manner. To the busk 3 a series of headed studs 5 are rigidly secured, said studs being regularly spaced apart and from the edge of the busk, while the numeral 6 represents a series of plates secured rigidly to the busk 4 and spaced apart to correspond to the spacing of the studs 5. The plates 6 are each formed with a vertical slot 7 which has a slightly flared opening, and which extends into the plate at an angle and gradually enlarges to form the space 8 having the rounded surrounding end wall, said space being adapted to permit of the passage of the heads of the studs 5, so that the stems of the latter may be moved into the angle of the slot 7 while the heads thereof rest on the plate at each side of said slot.

At a point near the upper end of the busk 4 is secured my improved locking or fastening device which consists of a pair of plates 9 each having a rounded recess 10 the mouth of which is slightly flared, said plates being spaced apart by an interposed block 11 to provide the necessary space for the operation of a latch 12 and a spring 13 therebetween. The latch is formed with a downwardly extending nose 1% and its under face or edge is curved to correspond to the curve of the recess 10 .of the plates 9, and a rounded notch 15 is formed in said edge near the end of the nose, to adapt the latch for en gagement with the stem of the stud 5 when the busks are fastened together. The front face of the spacing block is formed with a double or reversed curve, as at 16, to adapt it to receive the similarly shaped rear end, 17, of the latch in order to provide a stop to limit the upward and downward throw of the said latch which is pivotally secured at 18 between the said plates 9. The spring 13 is wound or bent around a post 20 between the plates 9, and having one end engaging the latch and the other a projection on one of the plates, said spring operating to normally hold the latch down or in its locking position.

A suitable cord or ribbon 21 is secured at one end to a projection on the latch whereby the latter may be moved vertically when desired against the tension of the spring, the latter acting to return the latch to its nor mal position when the cord or ribbon is re leased.

In operation the busks are brought together and the top stud is passed into the space 10 and the remaining studs inserted in the spaces 8 of their respective hook plates 6. The busks are then moved or drawn apart causing the stud in the locking device to press against the latch and raise or swing it upwardly to permit the stem of the stud to enter the notch 15 and the remaining studs to slide into the angle between the spaces 8 and the slots 7, thus locking the two busks securely together. To unfasten the corset the cord or ribbon 21 is pulled upwardly thus raising or swinging the latch against the power of the springand releasing the stud from the notch 15, and lifting the busk 4 and simultaneously disengaging the hook plates 6 from all their studs.

The locking latch acts to hold all the studs in position in the hooked plates to lock the busks together, but permits of great latitude I claim as new is:

of movement of the body of the wearer of the corset by reason of the free movement of the studs in the slots of the hook plates.

A corset provided With my fastening device offers the advantage of great freedom of the body, as mentioned, as well as its capability of being almost instantly fastened and unfastened; this latter capability rendering it of great value when in case of illness it becomes necessary to quickly unfasten the corset to relieve the wearer of the pressure thereof without first removing any portion of the wearing apparel.

Having thus described my invention what A clasp for corset busks, comprising a pair of hooked shape or slotted plates, a spacing block for said plates having a sealloped front face, a latch pivotally secured between said plates and adapted to close the mouth of the slot in said plates and having its rear end curved to fit the scalloped face of said block to limit the movement of said latch, a spring arranged between said plates to normally hold the latch in its locking position, a stud for engaging said latch, a series of hooks having downwardly opening slots on one of said busks, a corresponding series of headed studs on the other of said bnsks, and a cord or ribbon connected to the latch for releasing the same and for releasing the studs when the latch has reached the limit of its movement.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two 

